International Journal of Physiotherapy Research and Clinical Practice

Abstract

Basketball is a high-intensity sport that places significant strain on athletes’ lower limbs, making them vulnerable to injuries such as ankle sprains and knee-ligament injuries. Traditional passive stretching is commonly used for injury prevention, but recent research suggests that dynamic techniques, such as rhythmic stabilization, which enhances neuromuscular control, may be more effective. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rhythmic stabilization versus passive stretching on injury prevention and pain management in basketball players. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 45 basketball players aged 18-28. Participants were divided into three groups: control, rhythmic stabilization, and passive stretching. Pain levels and muscle tone were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Modified Ashworth Scale over 12 weeks. Statistical analyses were performed using the paired t-test and Student’s t-test. Rhythmic stabilization significantly reduced pain (VAS mean = 0.933) compared to that in the control group (VAS mean = 2.600), while passive stretching did not show a significant impact on pain reduction or muscle tone. There were no significant differences in the muscle tone changes across the groups. This study highlights the potential superiority of rhythmic stabilization over passive stretching for pain reduction and injury prevention in basketball players, offering new insights into injury-prevention strategies.

Keywords: Rhythmic Stabilization, Passive Stretching, Injury Prevention, Basketball Players